China, Mother of Gardens

'China, Mother of Gardens' is a seminal work by the celebrated botanist and plant hunter Ernest H. Wilson, documenting his extensive travels and botanical discoveries across the Chinese landscape during the early 20th century. Known affectionately as 'Chinese' Wilson, the author provides a rich, first-hand account of the diverse flora that has shaped gardens around the world, earning China its reputation as the ultimate source of horticultural beauty.Through detailed narratives of his expeditions, Wilson explores the rugged terrain, from the high mountain ranges to the fertile valleys, identifying thousands of plant species including lilies, primroses, and rhododendrons. The work goes beyond mere classification, offering insights into the geography, culture, and natural history of the regions he traversed. Wilson’s passion for the natural world is evident as he describes the challenges of plant collecting and the profound impact of Chinese vegetation on Western horticulture. This volume remains an essential reference for gardeners, botanists, and historians, serving as a powerful testament to the enduring botanical legacy of the 'Mother of Gardens.'This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.